Air Filtration Device

ABSTRACT

An air purifier has a housing with an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for exhausting air. The housing provides an air flow path for the flow of air in a downstream direction, from the inlet towards the outlet. Particulate pre-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the air inlet. VOC pre-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration. UV filtration is located within the housing downstream from the VOC pre-filtration. VOC post-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the UV filtration. Final particulate filtration is located within the housing downstream from the VOC post-filtration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to devices and methods for the filtration of air.More particularly, this invention relates to air purifiers capable ofproviding a level of air quality suitable for environments that arehighly sensitive to airborne contaminants, e.g., in vitro fertilizationlaboratories or other medical environments. Further, the invention maybe adapted for use in any substantially enclosed environment, including,but not limited to, homes, residential buildings, commercial buildings,hotels, cars, buses, trains, airplanes, cruise ships, educationalfacilities, offices, and government buildings. The invention may alsohave applications in, e.g., national security, defense, or airlineindustries.

2. Description of Related Art

In vitro fertilization (“IVF”) is a procedure whereby egg cells arefertilized by sperm in a laboratory environment, instead of in the womb.If an egg cell is successfully fertilized, it may be transferred intothe uterus of a patient wishing to become pregnant.

IVF may be an effective option for patients suffering from infertility,especially where other methods of assisted reproduction have failed.However, IVF is very expensive and is not typically covered by medicalinsurance. In 2009, the cost of a single cycle of IVF was approximately$10,000 to $15,000 in the United States. It is financially prohibitivefor most people to undergo multiple rounds of IVF. It is thereforeimperative that conditions for successful pre-implantation embryogenesisare optimized, in order to maximize the likelihood of success.

One extremely important factor contributing to the likelihood ofsuccessful pre-implantation embryogenesis is the air quality of the IVFlaboratory. Gametes and embryos grown in vitro are highly sensitive toenvironmental influences. Human embryos have no means of protection orfiltration against environmental toxins and pathogens. They arecompletely at the mercy of their environment. The incubators which housethe human embryos often consist of a significant percentage of room air.Although airborne contaminants can adversely affect embryogenesis,surprisingly little emphasis has been placed on optimizing laboratoryair quality during the last three decades in which IVF has beenavailable as a treatment for infertility.

Existing filtration devices have been found insufficient to optimize airquality to truly acceptable levels for IVF. For example, it has beenfound that laboratory air that had been filtered with only highefficiency particulate air (“HEPA”) filters was actually of lesserquality than outside air. Additionally, some filters produce by-productsor other contaminants that actually detract from the quality of the airin an IVF laboratory. For example, carbon filters can create carbondusting that is harmful to the IVF process. This is not to say, however,that carbon filters or HEPA filters should not be used to treat airsupplied to an IVF laboratory. On the contrary, it is preferred thatcarbon filters, HEPA filters, or their respective equivalents, areincluded among filtration media used to treat air supplied to an WFlaboratory. Attaining optimal air quality in an IVF laboratory or othersubstantially enclosed space requires proper selection, combination andsequencing of various filtration media.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an air purifier is provided. The air purifier includes ahousing with an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for exhaustingair. The housing provides an air flow path for the flow of air in adownstream direction, from the inlet towards the outlet. Particulatepre-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the airinlet. Volatile Organic Compound (“VOC”) pre-filtration is locatedwithin the housing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration. UltraViolet (“UV”) filtration is located within the housing downstream fromthe VOC pre-filtration. VOC post-filtration is located within thehousing downstream from the UV filtration. Final particulate filtrationis located within the housing downstream from the VOC post-filtration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an air purifier according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an air purifier according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is an internal view of the air purifier along the plane definedby section line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an internal view of the air purifier along the plane definedby section line B-B of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now in detail to the various figures of the drawings whereinlike reference numerals refer to like parts, there are shown in FIGS. 1and 2 top and side views, respectively, of an air purifier 2 accordingto the present invention. As illustrated, the air purifier 2 includes asubstantially rectangular cuboid housing 4 having an inlet 6 forreceiving air and an outlet 8 for exhausting air. The term “air” as usedherein broadly refers to a gas or gaseous mixture that may be safelybreathed by mammals and/or that can serve as a source gas or gaseousmixture towards an IVF laboratory. The housing 4 provides an air flowpath for the flow of air in a downstream direction, i.e., from the inlet6 towards the outlet 8. The term “housing” as used herein refers to anyconduit, chamber and/or enclosure, or a plurality of conduits, chambersand/or enclosures coupled to one another, providing an air flow pathwithin. Thus, the “housing” could include, e.g., ductwork of an existingheating, ventilating and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system or airhandling unit (“AHU”).

Although the housing 4 is preferably substantially rectangular cuboid,as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it need not be limited to any particularshape. Moreover, it may include inner curves, bends and/or othercontours, whereby the air flow path would follow such curves, bendsand/or other contours. Preferably, however, the air flow path issubstantially straight, as it is in the embodiment of the housing 4shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The air purifier 2 is preferably adapted to be installed into anexisting HVAC system or AHU. In an alternative embodiment, an airpurifier according to the present invention may function as astand-alone unit, i.e., one that is not part of an HVAC system or AHU.An exemplary housing 4 may be a substantially rectangular cuboid havingdimensions of approximately 11 ft. long by 4 ft. wide by 2 ft. high.Such dimensions would diffuse or spread out the air through the airpurifier 2 so as to provide sufficient resonance time for the airthrough each of the filtration media discussed infra. A skilled artisanunderstands, however, that the foregoing exemplary shape and sizeparameters are merely illustrative, and may be changed, evensubstantially, depending on the circumstances or application. Forexample, in some applications, the air purifier 2 may be about 6 ft.long.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an internal view of the airpurifier 2 along the plane defined by section line A-A of FIG. 1. InFIG. 4, there is shown an internal view of the air purifier 2 along theplane defined by section line B-B of FIG. 2.

To obtain optimal air quality, e.g., suitable for an IVF laboratory, theair that is treated by the air purifier 2 should be pre-conditioned andstable, i.e., moderate both in terms of temperature and humidity.Ideally, the air that is treated by the air purifier 2 should have atemperature of between about 68° F. and 75° F., and a humidity ofbetween about 45% and 55%. Additionally, the air flow rate through theair purifier 2 should preferably be about 250 ft./min. and below 2000CFM. This preferred flow rate is intended to provide sufficientresonance time for the air through each of the filtration mediadiscussed infra. The term “filtration” as used herein, broadly coversone or more devices that treat air, such as by trapping, removing,deactivating and/or destroying contaminants therefrom.

In order to provide an adequate air flow rate through the air purifier2, it may be helpful (although not always necessary) to include abooster fan 10 downstream from the inlet 6. The booster fan 10 may becoupled to a control system (not shown) that measures the air flow rateand triggers the booster fan 10 as needed, to maintain the desired airflow rate. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a booster fan maynot be included, and adequate air flow rate may be provided andmaintained by other means, e.g., a blower in an HVAC system or AHU intowhich the air purifier 2 is installed.

Downstream from the inlet 6 is particulate pre-filtration 12 for thetrapping of airborne particulate. The particulate pre-filtration 12 ispreferably about 2 inches thick in one embodiment, and includes left andright pleated particulate pre-filters 14,16. The particulate pre-filters14,16 trap gross particulate (e.g., dust and bugs) from the outside airbefore that air reaches the other filtration media in the air purifier 2discussed infra. Suitable filters for the particulate pre-filtration 12are those having a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (“MERV”) of 5 to13 with an Average ASHRAE Dust Spot Efficiency (Standard 52.1) of 20% to80%. Particularly preferred filters for the particulate pre-filtration12 are pleated filters having a MERV of 7 to 8, with an Average ASHRAEDust Spot Efficiency (Standard 52.1) of 30% to 45%.

Proper particulate pre-filter selection should be guided by the need totrap gross-particulate without unduly affecting the air flow ratethrough the air purifier 2. The particular type of particulatepre-filter(s) selected for particulate pre-filtration depends on variousfactors, including outside air quality. It is preferred that theparticulate pre-filtration 12 is located immediately upstream from theadditional filtration media discussed infra, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.Alternatively (or in addition), however, particulate pre-filtration maybe located further upstream, e.g., in upstream ductwork of an HVACsystem or AHU into which the air purifier 2 is installed.

Downstream from the particulate pre-filtration 12 is volatile organiccompound (“VOC”) pre-filtration 18. Once air passes through theparticulate pre-filtration 12, the air is effectively free of grossparticulate that would otherwise diminish the efficacy and useful lifeof the VOC pre-filtration 18. VOC pre-filtration ideally includesadsorption media, such as carbon, as well as oxidation media, such aspotassium permanganate (“KMnO₄”) or a photocatalytic oxidizer. Aparticularly preferred type of carbon is virgin coconut shell. In apreferred embodiment, the VOC pre-filtration 18 is a carbon and KMnO₄blend, e.g., in a 50/50 proportion. In some embodiments, the blend mayinclude additional elements, such as natural zeolite. The proportion ofthe blend may vary depending on the types and levels of VOCs present inthe source air. Ideally, the source air would be tested for VOCs, and,based on test results, a custom blend would be prepared to maximize VOCremoval in a given environment. In an alternative embodiment of the VOCpre-filtration (not shown), separate (i.e., non-blended) carbon andKMnO₄ filters are used.

The embodiment of the VOC pre-filtration 18 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4includes a total of twenty stacked filter trays 20,22, whereby ten suchtrays 20 are on the left side of the housing 4 and ten such trays 22 aredirectly adjacent, to the right. The length of the trays, i.e., thelongitudinal distance over which the air flows, is preferably about 17inches in one embodiment, though it may be shorter or longer. Each tray20,22 includes two blended carbon and KMnO₄ filters 24, arranged in aV-bank along a vertical plane (e.g., the plane of FIG. 3). The V-bankarrangement increases the surface area of the filters 24 over which airmust travel, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the VOCpre-filtration 18. Once air passes through the VOC pre-filtration 18,the VOC load of the air is effectively reduced.

Downstream from the VOC pre-filtration 18 is particulate post-filtration26 for the trapping of airborne particulate, e.g., particulate generatedby the VOC pre-filtration 18 (such as carbon dusting). The particulatepost-filtration 26 includes left and right pleated particulatepost-filters 28,30. The filters used in the particulate post-filtration26 may be identical or similar to those used in the particulatepre-filtration 12, discussed supra. While particulate post filtration 26downstream from the VOC pre-filtration 18 is preferred, it may not benecessary in all applications. For example, if the VOC pre-filtration isof a type that does not generate air-borne particulate, such as bondedcarbon, particulate post-filtration may be optional.

Downstream from the particulate post-filtration 26 is ultraviolet (“UV”)filtration 32 which destroys airborne biological contaminants and, insome embodiments, degrades chemical contaminants. Whether or notparticulate post-filtration 26 is used, the air reaching the UVfiltration 32 should be effectively free of gross particulate andcontain dramatically reduced levels of VOCs so as not to diminish theefficacy of the UV filtration 32.

The UV filtration may include one or more UV sources, although aplurality of UV sources is preferred. It is further preferred that theseUV sources are UVC sources, capable of generating UV radiation at awavelength varying from 220 nm to 288 nm. Most preferably, the UVCsources are capable of generating UV radiation at a wavelength of 260nm, however commercially available UVC sources capable of generating UVradiation at a wavelength of 254 nm are adequate. In an alternativeembodiment described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,740 (Brais), which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, the UV filtrationincludes at least one vacuum UV source, capable of generating UVradiation at a wavelength varying from 170 nm to 220 nm (preferably 185nm) and at least one UVC source, capable of generating UV radiation at awavelength varying from 220 nm to 288 nm (preferably 260 nm). In thatembodiment, the UVC source is preferably downstream from the vacuum UVsource. When operating, the vacuum UV source breaks oxygen moleculesinto mono-atomic oxygen which then reacts with chemical contaminantspresent in the air and then degrades them by successive oxidation toodorless and inoffensive byproducts. The UVC source kills biologicalcontaminants present in the air by irradiation and degrades residualozone produced by the vacuum UV source into molecular oxygen.

Particularly preferred UV filtration 32 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is the“UV Bio-wall” made by Sanuvox. Alternatively, the “Bio 30GX,” which isalso made by Sanuvox, is a preferred type of UV filtration. The UVfiltration 32 includes a pair of fixtures 34,36 each of which has fiveUV lamps 38 (not all five of which are visible in the Figures). The UVlamps 38 are preferably about 60 inches long and extend longitudinallythrough the housing 4 so as to maximize exposure time of the air to UVradiation. In one embodiment, the UV lamps are UVC sources, providing UVradiation within the UVC wavelength parameters discussed supra. In analternative embodiment, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,740 (Brais),each lamp 38 is dual-zoned, having an upstream vacuum UV source and adownstream UVC source. In that alternative embodiment, the upstreamvacuum UV source may, e.g., be a high intensity mercury vapor lampcapable of generating UV radiation having a wavelength in a range ofabout 170 nm to about 220 nm, and the downstream UVC source may, e.g.,be a low intensity mercury vapor lamp capable of generating radiationhaving a wavelength in a range of about 220 nm to about 288 nm. Theinterior 44 of the housing 4 encasing the UV filtration 32 is highlyreflective, with a preferable coefficient of reflection of at least 60%,so as to enhance the effectiveness of the lamps 38.

The kill rate of biological contaminants is a function of the intensityof UVC radiation produced by the UV filtration 32 and reflected by theinterior 44 of the housing 4, as well as the exposure time of suchcontaminants to the UVC radiation. Thus, the higher the intensity of theUVC radiation and the longer the exposure time of such contaminants tothe UVC radiation, the greater is the level of sterilization achieved.Depending on factors such as the desired level of sterilization, theamount of space available to house UV filtration, and costs of operatingand maintaining UV filtration, the desired total UVC output of the UVfiltration 32 may vary. In one actual embodiment, it was found that atotal UVC output ranging from about 33,464 μJ/cm² to about 90,165μJ/cm², with an average total UVC output of about 43,771 μJ/cm²,provided a desired level of sterilization, given practical constraintsof cost and space. Such total UVC output killed 100% of numerousbiological contaminants including, but not limited to smallpox, flu,tuberculosis, anthrax and H1N1 virus.

The UV filtration 32 contained within the housing 4 is likely notvisible to a user of the air purifier 2 when in use, because direct UVexposure is harmful to humans. Thus, a user cannot ascertain visually(i.e., by simply looking at the air purifier 2 itself) whether the lamps38 are operating at a given time. It cannot be assumed that the airpurifier 2 is effectively destroying air-borne biological and chemicalcontaminants, without knowing for sure that the UV filtration isoperating properly. Accordingly, it is preferred that the presentinvention include sensors and a monitor (not shown) to detect andindicate, respectively, how much time each UV lamp 38 has been in useand whether each lamp 38 is operating at a given time. The monitor mayinclude, e.g., a scrolling digital clock, which indicates the length oftime each lamp 38 has been operating. These sensors and monitor wouldindicate to a user when it is time to replace any of the lamps 38.

As a general matter, moisture within the housing 4 can foster the growthof biological contaminants. Accordingly, it is preferable to include aUVC source in the vicinity of areas in which moisture is generated orgathers. For example, upstream from the particulate pre-filtration 12may be one or more cooling coils (not shown) that help to ensure thatthe air which is treated by the air purifier 2 is moderate in terms oftemperature. Such cooling coils tend to generate moisture. It istherefore preferable to include a UVC source adjacent to such coolingcoils. Similarly, it may be appropriate to include a UVC sourceimmediately upstream from a filter/diffuser (not shown) from which theair enters into a substantially enclosed space, e.g., an IVF laboratoryor other room, after leaving the air purifier 2.

Downstream from the UV filtration 32 is VOC post-filtration 46, whichcapture, e.g., VOC by-products of the irradiation from the UV filtration32. Possible embodiments of the VOC post-filtration 46 include any ofthose discussed supra regarding the VOC pre-filtration 18. The VOCpost-filtration 46 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes left and right VOCpost-filters 48,50 that are arranged in a V-bank along a horizontalplane (e.g., the plane of FIG. 4). The VOC post-filters 48,50, liketheir upstream counterparts, are preferably blended carbon and KMnO₄.Although VOC post-filtration 46 is preferred, in some applications, itmay not be required and may thus be omitted.

Gametes and the human embryo are highly sensitive to VOCs, even inamounts considered negligible in other applications. It is thereforeessential that the VOC filtration (both pre-filtration 18 andpost-filtration 46) operates effectively to remove VOCs from air that isfed into an environment in which IVF is being conducted. Accordingly,one or more sensors for detecting VOC levels (not shown), preferably inreal time, may be placed in an IVF laboratory and coupled to a monitor(not shown) to indicate the VOC levels in the laboratory at a giventime. With such in-room VOC detection, a user of the air purifier 2would know when it is time to replace the VOC pre-filtration 18 and postfiltration 46, and/or whether an alternative type or blend of VOCfilters would be more suitable. While in-room VOC detection isparticularly useful in an IVF laboratory, it may be helpful in anyenvironment requiring low VOC levels.

Downstream from the VOC post-filtration 46 is final particulatefiltration 52, which traps substantially all remaining particulate inthe air before the air exits the outlet 8. Final particulate filtration52 preferably includes one or more filters capable of trapping fineairborne particulate, e.g., filters having a MERV of 13 or greater withan average ASHRAE Dust Spot Efficiency (Std. 52.1) of 80% or greater.More preferably, such filters have a MERV of 16 or greater with anaverage ASHRAE Dust Spot Efficiency (Std. 52.1) of 95% or greater. Mostpreferably, such filters have a MERV of 17 or greater with an averageASHRAE Dust Spot Efficiency (Std. 52.1) of 99.97%, as do high efficiencyparticulate air (“HEPA”) filters. Alternatively, ultra low particulateair (“ULPA”) filters may be suitable. The choice of filter(s) for finalparticulate filtration should be guided by the potentially competingneeds of maintaining an optimal air flow rate and effectively removingparticulate from the air.

The final particulate filtration 52 of FIGS. 3 and 4 includes left andright 12-inch thick HEPA filters 54,56. Preferably, magnehelic gauges(not shown) are placed both upstream and downstream from the HEPAfilters 54, 56 to measure the pressure drop across those filters. Thedegree of pressure drop will assist in the identification of the propertime in which to change the HEPA filters 54,56, or other filters usedfor final particulate filtration.

Downstream from the final particulate filtration 52, is an atomizinghumidifier 58. The humidifier 58 may or may not be necessary, dependingon the needs of the facility in which the air purifier 2 is being used.However, if a humidifier 52 is needed, it should be placed downstreamfrom the final particulate filtration 52 so that the moisture does notadversely affect the performance of the VOC post-filters 48,50, the HEPAfilters 54,56, or other filters used for final particulate filtration.Humidified air can contain and support the growth of biologicalcontaminants. Accordingly, if a humidifier 58 is used, an additional UVCsource (not shown) to destroy such contaminants should also be included.This additional UVC source should be downstream from the humidifier 58,preferably at the last point in ductwork before entry into a room servedby the purified air.

An air purifier according to the present invention, such as thatdescribed in detail, supra, will produce optimal air quality, suitablefor airborne contaminant-sensitive environments such as IVF laboratoriesor other medical environments, for example. That said, an air purifieraccording to the present invention is not limited to IVF or othermedical applications. It may be adapted for use in any substantiallyenclosed environment, including, but not limited to, homes, residentialbuildings, commercial buildings, hotels, cars, buses, trains, airplanes,cruise ships, educational facilities, offices, and government buildings.The invention may also have applications in, e.g., national security,defense, or airline industries. The sequence and type of air filtrationmedia in an air purifier according to the present invention provides airhaving a quality that was unattainable with prior devices.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference tospecific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the artthat various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof.

1. An air purifier comprising: a. a housing having an inlet forreceiving air and an outlet for exhausting air, the housing providing anair flow path for the flow of air in a downstream direction, from theinlet towards the outlet; b. particulate pre-filtration within thehousing downstream from the air inlet; c. VOC pre-filtration within thehousing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration; d. UV filtrationwithin the housing downstream from the VOC pre-filtration; and e. finalparticulate filtration within the housing downstream from the UVfiltration.
 2. An air purifier comprising: a. a housing having an inletfor receiving air and an outlet for exhausting air, the housingproviding an air flow path for the flow of air in a downstreamdirection, from the inlet towards the outlet; b. particulatepre-filtration within the housing downstream from the air inlet; c. VOCpre-filtration within the housing downstream from the particulatepre-filtration; d. UV filtration within the housing downstream from theVOC pre-filtration; e. VOC post-filtration within the housing downstreamfrom the UV filtration; and f. final particulate filtration within thehousing downstream from the VOC post-filtration.
 3. The air purifier ofclaim 2, further comprising particulate post-filtration within thehousing, downstream from the VOC pre-filtration and upstream from the UVfiltration.
 4. The air purifier of claim 3, wherein the particulatepost-filtration includes one or more filters having a MERV of 7 to 8,with an Average ASHRAE Dust Spot Efficiency (Standard 52.1) of 30% to45%.
 5. The air purifier of claim 2, wherein the particulatepre-filtration includes one or more filters having a MERV of 7 to 8,with an Average ASHRAE Dust Spot Efficiency (Standard 52.1) of 30% to45%.
 6. The air purifier of claim 2, wherein both the VOC pre-filtrationand VOC post-filtration comprise carbon and KMnO₄.
 7. The air purifierof claim 6, wherein both the VOC pre-filtration and VOC post-filtrationcomprise one or more filters containing blended carbon and KMnO₄.
 8. Theair purifier of claim 2 further comprising a substantially enclosedspace adapted to receive purified air from the outlet, wherein thesubstantially enclosed space has a sensor for detecting VOC levelstherein, the sensor being adapted to transmit a signal representative ofthe VOC levels to a monitor.
 9. The air purifier of claim 2, wherein atleast a portion of the interior of the housing encasing the UVfiltration has a coefficient of reflection of at least 60%.
 10. The airpurifier of claim 2, wherein the UV filtration comprises a UVC sourceadapted to generate radiation having a wavelength in a range of about220 nm to about 288 nm.
 11. The air purifier of claim 10, wherein the UVfiltration is capable of providing a total UVC output ranging from about33,464 μJ/cm² to about 90,165 μJ/cm².
 12. The air purifier of claim 10,wherein the UV filtration comprises a plurality of lamps extendinglongitudinally through the housing.
 13. The air purifier of claim 10,the UV filtration further comprising a vacuum UV source upstream fromthe UVC source, the vacuum UV source adapted to generate radiationhaving a wavelength of about 170 nm to about 220 nm.
 14. The airpurifier of claim 13, wherein the UV filtration comprises a plurality ofdual-zoned lamps, each lamp extending longitudinally through the housingand having an upstream vacuum UV source and a downstream UVC source. 15.The air purifier of claim 12, further comprising a sensor coupled toeach lamp, the sensor being adapted to detect information about the lampto which it is coupled and transmit a signal representative of theinformation to a monitor.
 16. The air purifier of claim 15, wherein theinformation includes the length of time the lamp to which the sensor iscoupled has been in use and whether the lamp to which the sensor iscoupled is operating at a given time.
 17. The air purifier of claim 2,wherein the final particulate filtration includes one or more filtershaving a MERV of 13 or greater with an average ASHRAE Dust SpotEfficiency (Std. 52.1) of 80% or greater.
 18. The air purifier of claim17, wherein the final particulate filtration includes one or morefilters selected from the group consisting of HEPA filters and ULPAfilters.
 19. The air purifier of claim 2, further comprising a coolingcoil within the housing upstream from the particulate pre-filtration,wherein a UVC source is located adjacent to the cooling coil.
 20. Amethod for providing optimal quality ambient air in a substantiallyenclosed space using the air purifier of claim 2, wherein the outlet ofthe air purifier feeds purified air into the substantially enclosedspace, the method comprising the providing of air through the inlethaving a temperature of between about 68° F. and 75° F., a humidity ofbetween about 45% and 55% and an air flow rate through the air purifierof about 250 ft./min. and below 2000 CFM.
 21. An air purifiercomprising: a. a housing having an inlet for receiving air and an outletfor exhausting air, the housing providing an air flow path for the flowof air in a downstream direction, from the inlet towards the outlet; b.particulate pre-filtration comprising one or more pleated particulatepre-filters within the housing downstream from the air inlet, thepleated particulate pre-filter(s) having a MERV of 7 to 8, with anAverage ASHRAE Dust Spot Efficiency (Standard 52.1) of 30% to 45%; c.VOC pre-filtration within the housing downstream from the particulatepre-filtration, the VOC pre-filtration comprising carbon and KMnO₄; d.particulate post-filtration comprising one or more pleated particulatepost-filters within the housing downstream from the VOC pre-filtration,the pleated particulate post-filter(s) having a MERV of 7 to 8, with anAverage ASHRAE Dust Spot Efficiency (Standard 52.1) of 30% to 45%; e. UVfiltration within the housing downstream from the VOC pre-filtration,the UV filtration comprising a plurality of lamps extendinglongitudinally through the housing, the lamps adapted to generate UVCradiation having a wavelength in a range of about 220 nm to about 288nm; f. VOC post-filtration within the housing downstream from the UVfiltration, the VOC post-filtration comprising carbon and KMnO₄; and g.final particulate filtration within the housing downstream from the VOCpost-filtration, the final particulate filtration comprising one or morefilters having a MERV of 16 or greater with an average ASHRAE Dust SpotEfficiency (Std. 52.1) of 95% or greater.
 22. The air purifier of claim21 further comprising a humidifier within the housing downstream fromthe final particulate filtration and a post-humidifier UVC source withinthe housing downstream from the humidifier.